I live in a fairly hilly part of Kentucky and have to commute 75-80 miles a day to college. I have noticed that my Xb has a hard time getting up some hills. When i try to climb the hill i hit almost 5k RPM and i am only doing 40-50 MPH all the way up the hill. I was wondering if i turned off overdrive before i went up the hill and back on when i got back on to level ground if it would damage my transmission?

 

No not at all, over-drive would have no adverse affects on your transmission.

By the way, no over-drive or not, XB's always have a tough time on hills.

 

true, add a header for better low end toruqe

 

From the sound of it, I'm not sure if turning off OD will help - but it won't hurt. OD is just 4th gear. Turning it off forces the tranny to go no higher than 3rd. If you're doing 5K rpms at 40-50mph, you're probably staying in 3rd the whole way anyway.

Turning OD off is most useful when the auto tranny is having a hard time deciding whether it wants to be in 3rd or 4th, and keeps waffling back and forth between the two. It can also be handy if you're going down a long hill and want a bit of engine braking.

 

Thanks thats really helpful.

 

i allways turn off my od for hills...it gets them real good

 

OD is better for the highway. when your running over 55 for a good few miles. for your "hill climb" like staded before. it will get you up the hill better

so will a intake, exhaust and/ or a supercharger ;-)